Apparatus for maintaining separation of small laundry items

ABSTRACT

A compartmentalized laundry bag for washing and drying small laundry items. The bag includes a collapsible mesh body having a closeable top portion, a bottom portion and a central portion. A flexible mesh bottom wall is connected to the bottom portion of the mesh body and further includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth mesh partition walls which are disposed interiorly of the mesh body and are interconnected together at a location proximate the axial center line of the mesh body. The laundry bag also includes a drawstring arrangement for closing the top portion of the mesh body.

This is a Continuation In Part Application of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/687,399 filed Oct. 15, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for use in the machine laundering of small articles. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel, compartmentalized apparatus for maintaining separation of small laundry items during machine washing and drying operations.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

A common household problem is keeping track of small laundry items such as socks and small undergarments during washing and drying operations. If small laundry items are intermixed with larger items such as shirts, pants, dresses and the like, they tend to become tangled with the larger items and are sometimes lost, mismatched or misplaced during the sorting operations. This frequently results in the annoying mismatching of socks and the frustrations encountered in attempting to properly rematch the socks.

Several types of devices have been suggested in the past to maintain separation of small laundry items. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,998 issued to Wachtel. The Wachtel device comprises a dual laundry bag that has a front panel, a rear panel and a central panel which divides the laundry bag into two compartments. The rear panel includes a pair of adjustable carrying straps and the front panel includes a flap and an adjustable belt for attachment to the laundry bag of clothing which is been hung on hangers.

Another prior art laundry bag apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,312 issued to Milstein. This latter patent discloses an improved laundry bag construction of generally trapezoidal configuration composed of an open weave material such as a fine gauge nylon net for secure machine laundering and drying of articles made from delicate fabrics such as lingerie.

A common drawback of many prior art laundry bags is their somewhat complex and costly construction. Additionally, certain of the prior art laundry bags are bulky and are often difficult and cumbersome to use.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a novel, compartmentalized laundry bag that is of a simple symmetrical construction and one, which is easy to use and can be manufactured simply and inexpensively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, the compartmentalized laundry bag of the present invention comprises a collapsible mesh body having a closeable top portion, a bottom portion and a central portion; a flexible mesh bottom wall connected to the bottom portion of the mesh body; and first, second, third and fourth mesh partition walls which are disposed interiorly of the mesh body and are interconnected together at a location proximate the axial center line of the mesh body. In the preferred form of the invention, the laundry bag includes a drawstring arrangement for closing the top portion of the mesh body.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel, compartmentalized laundry bag that is of a simple, symmetrical construction and one which can be manufactured easily and inexpensively using conventional fabrication processes.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a compartmentalized laundry bag of the aforementioned character that is strategically arranged to prevent the loss of small laundry items such as men's socks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a laundry bag of the character described that is easy and convenient to use and one that is readily receivable within and retrievable from conventional washing and drying machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a laundry bag of the class described in the preceding paragraphs that is constructed from a netlike, mesh material having openings formed therein that are large enough to allow sufficient water flow through the openings to enable the efficient washing of the articles therewithin, but small enough to positively contain the contents within the bag.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved compartmentalized laundry bag which is constructed from a relatively small number of simple component parts which can be easily sewn or otherwise connected together so as to enable the manufacture of the laundry bag in a highly efficient and economical manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the apparatus of the invention for maintaining separation of small laundry items.

FIG. 2 is a generally perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the top of the apparatus in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the apparatus partly broken away to show internal construction.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the top of the apparatus in a closed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of the apparatus of the invention for maintaining separation of small laundry items.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the alternate form of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, one form of the compartmentalized laundry bag of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 12. The novel and improved laundry bag of the invention here includes a flexible mesh sidewall 14, which, in the upright, article loading configuration shown in FIG. 1, defines a generally cylindrically-shaped, collapsible body 16. Body 16 has an end axial center line 17, an open top portion 18, a bottom portion 20 and a central portion 22. A flexible mesh bottom wall 24 is connected to mesh sidewall 14 proximate the bottom portion thereof (FIG. 3).

Forming a novel feature of the apparatus of the present invention are first, second, third and fourth mesh partition walls 26, 28, 30 and 32 respectively. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 these partition walls are disposed interiorly of the central portion of cylindrically-shaped body 16 and are interconnected along their outer edges with mesh sidewall 14 as by sewing or the like. Uniquely, the partition walls are interconnected together along their inner edges as by sewing or the like at a location 33 which is proximate axial center line 17 of body 16. With this novel construction the partition walls function to divide interior of collapsible body 16 into four compartments 34, 36, 38, and 40, which are substantially of equal size (FIG. 3). Partition walls 26, 28, 30 and 32, like side wall 14, are preferably constructed from a flexible, netlike mesh material, having a multiplicity of openings 33 (FIG. 8) which permit the free flow of water therethrough, and, when in the position shown and FIGS. 1 and 3, are curved in the manner shown in the drawings.

To retain the articles of clothing within the flexible bag during the washing and drying operations, closure means are provided for closing the top portion of the cylindrically-shaped body portion. As shown in the drawings, these closure means are here provided in the form of a conventional drawstring assembly generally designated by the numeral 41.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the drawstring assembly of the present form of the invention comprises an elongated drawstring 42 which is threadably receivable within a passageway 44 that is formed proximate top opening 18 of the apparatus by means of a downwardly extending skirt-like portion 46 (FIG. 1) that is sewn proximate its lower extremity to the sidewall 14. The free ends of drawstring pass through a central bore 48a which is formed in generally spherical-shaped closure member 48. With this construction, when it is desired to move the apparatus from the open article receiving or loading configuration shown in FIG. 1 to the top closed configuration shown in FIG. 2, an inward pressure on spherical member 48, along with an outward force exerted on the drawstring, will cause the drawstring assembly to move from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 into the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2 wherein the top portion of the apparatus is closed to prevent accidental escape of the small articles of laundry that have been inserted into the spaced-apart compartments 34, 36, 38, and 40.

In using the apparatus of the invention, the small articles of laundry to be washed are first inserted into the four compartments 34, 36, 38, and 40 while the apparatus is in the top open configuration shown in FIG. 1. After the various compartments have been appropriately loaded with the small articles to be laundered, the apparatus can be moved into the closed configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 by pushing on the spherical member 48 and at the same time pulling outwardly on the drawstring 42 so as to move the closure means into the closed configuration shown in FIG. 2. After the washing cycle has been completed, the apparatus can be opened into the configuration shown in FIG. 1 by pulling outwardly on the locking sphere 48 in a manner so that it slides outwardly along the drawstring into the position shown in FIG. 1.

Turning next to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings an alternate form of the compartmentalized laundry bag of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 52. This alternate form of the invention is similar in many respects to the previously described embodiment and like numerals are used in FIGS. 9 and 10 to identify like components. The laundry bag of this latest form of the invention includes a flexible mesh sidewall 54, which, in the upright, article loading configuration shown in FIG. 9, defines a generally cylindrically-shaped, collapsible body 56. Body 56 has an axial center line 57 (FIG. 10), an open top portion 58, a bottom portion 60 and a central portion 62. A flexible mesh bottom wall 64 is connected to mesh sidewall 54 proximate the bottom portion thereof.

Forming a novel feature of the apparatus of this latest form of the invention are first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth mesh partition walls 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 and 76 respectively. As best seen in FIG. 10 these partition walls are disposed interiorly of the central portion of cylindrically-shaped body 56 and are interconnected along their outer edges with mesh sidewall 54 as by sewing or the like. Uniquely, the partition walls are interconnected together along their inner edges as by sewing or the like at a location 83 which is proximate axial center line 57 of body 56. With this novel construction the partition walls function to divide interior of collapsible body 56 into six compartments 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94, which are substantially of equal size (FIG. 10). Partition walls 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 and 76, like side wall 54, are preferably constructed from a flexible, netlike mesh material, having a multiplicity of openings 97 which permit the free flow of water therethrough, and, when in the position shown in FIG. 10, are curved in the manner to there shown.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A compartmentalized laundry bag comprising: (a) a flexible mesh sidewall, which, in an upright configuration, defines a generally cylindrically-shaped body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a central portion; (b) a flexible bottom wall connected to said mesh sidewall proximate said bottom portion thereof; and (c) first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls interconnected with said mesh sidewall and disposed interiorly of said central portion of said cylindrically-shaped body for dividing said central portion into six compartments.
 2. The laundry bag as defined in claim 1 in which said cylindrically-shaped body has an axial center line and in which said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls are interconnected together proximate said axial center line.
 3. The laundry bag as defined in claim 1 in which said six compartments are of substantially equal size.
 4. The laundry bag as defined in claim 1 further including closure means for closing said top portion of said cylindrically-shaped body portion.
 5. The laundry bag as defined in claim 1 in which said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls are constructed from a flexible, mesh material.
 6. The laundry bag as defined in claim 5 in which said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls are curved.
 7. A laundry bag for holding small laundry items comprising: (a) a flexible mesh sidewall, which in an upright configuration, defines generally cylindrically-shaped, collapsible body having an open top portion, a bottom portion and a central portion, said generally cylindrically-shaped collapsible body having an axial center line; (b) a flexible mesh bottom wall connected to said mesh sidewall proximate said bottom portion thereof; and (c) first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth partition walls interconnected with said mesh sidewall and disposed interiorly of said central portion of said cylindrically-shaped body for dividing said central portion into six compartments, said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls being interconnected together at a location proximate said axial center line of said generally cylindrically-shaped collapsible body; and (d) closure means for closing said top of portion of said cylindrically-shaped body portion.
 8. The laundry bag as defined in claim 7 in which said six compartments are of substantially equal size.
 9. The laundry bag as defined in claim 7 in which said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls are constructed from a flexible, mesh material.
 10. The laundry bag as defined in claim 7 in which said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls are curved.
 11. The laundry bag as defined in claim 7 in which said flexible mesh sidewall, said bottom wall and said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth partition walls are formed of a net material which allows the free flow of water therethrough.
 12. The laundry bag as defined in claim 7 in which said closure means comprises a drawstring. 